Local boats earn glory in Newport Bermuda race

The 2010 Newport Bermuda Race ended at 10:17 p.m. June 23 when the last finisher arrived at St. David's Head with all but one of the 183 starters gently tugging at their dock lines in Bermuda.

The last finisher, John Melvin's Westray of Riverside, Conn., arrived at St. David's Head in a 39-foot classic wooden Concordia class yawl designed in 1938. This year Westray beat two boats in the 103-entry division on corrected time. The race started on June 18 from Castle Hill, Newport, R.I.

The St. David's Lighthouse Trophy for the top amateur boat went to Carina, owned by Rives Potts of Westbrook, Conn. This is the second time Carina has won this trophy, which is a replica of the lighthouse off which the race finishes. The Carleton Mitchell Finisterre Trophy, named for the winner of three consecutive Bermuda Races, was presented to the winner of the Cruiser Division, Neal Finnegan's Clover III of Dedham, Mass. The Philip S. Weld Prize, named for a well-known trans-Atlantic singlehanded racer, was awarded to the winner of the Double-Handed Division, Jason A. Richter's Paladin of Mt. Sinai, N.Y. And the Royal Mail Trophy went to the winner of the Open Division, Genuine Risk, sailed by Mark Watson, of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. In addition, the North Rock Beacon Trophy was presented to Carina as the top boat under the IRC Rule, and the Corporation of Hamilton Prize for first boat to finish will go to Speedboat, owned by Alex Jackson, Riverside, Conn.

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Knickerbocker Cup returns to action

The 28th Knickerbocker Cup, hosted by the Manhasset Bay Yacht Club in Port Washington, N.Y., will take place on Aug. 25-29. The Knickerbocker Cup is a qualifier for the World Match Racing Tour, with the winner gaining an automatic entry to the Argo Gold Cup, one of the most prestigious match racing events on the Tour. Twelve teams from around the world have been invited to compete in the 2010 Knickerbocker Cup.

The international line-up of match racing teams from around the world has shaped up to provide racing on Manhasset Bay, located in western Long Island Sound. Reuben Corbett, of New Zealand, 2009 Knickerbocker champion, will be back to defend his title.

This year, the Knickerbocker Cup is invitating the community to watch the races on Aug. 28-29. Boat tours are free and open to the public on a first come, first served basis. For information, e-mail: boattours@ knickerbockercup.org.